Asymmetric encryption

The core idea of asymmetric cryptography

Asymmetric cryptography or public key cryptography is a cryptographic system that uses a pair of keys (public key and private key) which are linked with mathematical dependencies. The more complex math algorithms are used the more difficult it is to crack the cypher. Ideally, the math problem should be so complex that guessing a solution or trying to break it would be literally impossible or unfeasible.

Public key

Public key can be freely distributed over open networks, Internet or sent via regular mail on the flash drive. It is linked mathematically with its corresponding private key.

Private key

Private key should always be kept secret from the public. Always. Secret. Within one cryptographic system private key is associated with one single user (one ID, number or username).

The idea of asymmetric cryptography is to make one way irreversible encryption and decryption operations. If a piece of data is encrypted with the public key, it can be decrypted only with the corresponding private key. If data is encrypted with the private key it may be decrypted only by public key matching the pair. It’s like a one-way-lock and one-way-unlock case.

How it works

In asymmetric cryptographic systems each participants has own pair of keys. Public keys are freely distributed around the system while private keys are hidden secret. Asymmetric encryption eliminates man-in-the-middle attacks because intercepting only a public key is useless. It is the private key which keeps the secret private and hidden from prying eyes.

Examples of applications

Asymmetric encryption

Asymmetric encryption algorithms are built the way that data which is going to be sent is always encrypted with the recipient’s public key.

It can be unlocked (decrypted) only with recipient’s private key.

This model allows sending data securely, so that only intended receiver can read actual information.

Digital signatures

Digital signatures, unlike asymmetric encryption algorithms, are designed the way that data is encrypted only with the private key of data sender...

... and can be decrypted only with the sender’s public key.

This scheme ensures user authentication because only one single user owns the private key.

The big deal

In asymmetric encryption a reliable and efficient key management policy becomes crucial. To keep private key protected there may be used some passwords, pins or even biometric verification methods. Design of hardware which stores the private key should be resistant to tampers to extract the secret key. The big deal about asymmetric encryption is how to keep private key a real secret.